Frank Knoche, Dr. (PhD)

headfinders – extraordinary leaders. fast. effective. transformative.

At headfinders.com, I specialize in executive search consulting for a diverse portfolio of listed and privately held companies. My extensive experience encompasses both transformation scenarios and startups across a variety of industries, with a primary focus on Technology, Healthcare, and Professional Services within the Central and Eastern European region.

Key Contributions and Achievements:

✔️ Successfully placed top-level executives including CEOs, CFOs, and CCOs.
✔️ Distinguished for placing a candidate who received the prestigious "CIO of the Year" award.
✔️ Orchestrated the recruitment of a top manager from a 100K people company for a global sales leadership role in a startup.

CEO | Chief People Officer | Headhunter | Executive Search Expert

Knoche Consulting - Empowering Leaders. Creating Futures.

Responsibilities:

• Led and successfully completed various projects for international and mid-sized companies, consistently meeting or exceeding pre-defined timelines and budgets.
• Led negotiations and secured international (IT) outsourcing framework agreements with major enterprises, optimizing cost efficiencies.
• Delivered expert guidance to traditional companies navigating complex transformation initiatives, providing transformative executive coaching.

Key Achievements:

✔️ Pioneered the introduction of a new digital product within six months, including the development of an innovative product management structure.
✔️ Orchestrated and facilitated the smooth transition of high-level (IT) transformation processes, resulting in streamlined operations.
✔️ Strategically mentored and empowered managers for successful international supplier contract negotiations, securing favorable agreements and cost-effective partnerships.
✔️ Demonstrated exceptional program management skills by utilizing both traditional and agile methodologies (PRINCE2 and Scrum certified), ensuring adaptability and efficiency.
✔️ Innovated and implemented highly efficient digital processes, leading to substantial improvements in efficiency and productivity.

Interim Executive, Top Executive Coach, Business Transformation Lead

digitalheads - easily matched

• Founded digitalheads.club, a global platform for digital job opportunities.
• Launched digitalheads.club in September 2016, creating a dynamic hub for digital job seekers and employers.

✔️ Successfully oversaw the platform's growth to an average of over 5,000 job listings monthly.

Founder & CEO

CCS Content Conversion Specialists

As an External Senior Consultant and Coach at CCS Content Conversion Specialists, I played a pivotal role in spearheading the comprehensive re-implementation of the product management organization. This transformative project aimed at enhancing efficiency and introducing new digital products within a tight timeframe.

Key Achievements:

✔️ Successfully introduced a groundbreaking digital product within just six months by pioneering a novel product management structure.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to assess existing processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Provided expert guidance in implementing the new product management organization to align with the company's growth objectives.
• Employed strategic communication and change management techniques to facilitate a seamless transition to the new product management framework.

External Senior Consultant, Executive Coach

Deutsche Bahn AG

• Developed comprehensive IT procurement strategies and pan-European sourcing strategies for the organization.

Key Achievement:

✔️ Successfully concluded an international IT outsourcing framework agreement worth a two-digit million € range within a remarkable timeframe of 7 months.

External Senior Consultant

arvato services

As Director of Information & Marketing Logistics at arvato services, I led the delivery of marketing, logistics, and e-commerce solutions across Central Europe to both existing and new clients. My role was pivotal in achieving significant improvements in divisional performance, client satisfaction, and financial outcomes.

Key Achievements:

✔️ Client-Centered Transformation: Spearheaded the transformation of the division into a client-centered service organization, resulting in a 15% increase in client satisfaction.
✔️ Financial Growth: Enhanced the division's EBIT by more than 25% with a return on sales exceeding 10% in the first year.
✔️ Revenue Security: Secured 40% of revenue through successful contract renegotiations and extensions.
✔️ E-commerce Excellence: Directed and executed the largest e-commerce for SAP ERP platform globally.

Director Information & Marketing Logistics

Knoche Consulting

In this freelance consulting role, I specialized in designing, selling, and implementing CRM and loyalty strategies for financial services companies. My work involved partnering with telephone companies, publishers, and TV broadcasters to deliver impactful solutions.

Key Achievement:

✔️ Forged Strategic Partnership: Successfully orchestrated a strategic alliance between an international financial services group and an international media group, showcasing my adeptness at cultivating high-impact collaborations.

Senior Consultant Project Lead | CRM & Loyalty Strategies Expert

Cigna International

During this tenure, I was asked to serve as Marketing Manager in Central Europe. I addition I was given the task to rebuilt the CIGNA operations in Germany.

Responsibilities: 

• Successfully rebuilding and reorganizing the Cigna operations in Germany.
• Overseeing all marketing activities in Central Europe, with a particular focus on direct marketing and telemarketing.
• Developing and executing marketing strategies to drive growth and profitability.

Key Achievements:

✔️ Established effective marketing and Customer Service Center structures in Central Europe within first 3 months.
✔️ Designed and executed compelling loyalty campaigns in partnership with a renowned German bank, driving growth for both organizations.

Marketing Manager Central Europe

Techniker Krankenkasse

I took the helm in directing marketing and communications strategies for key audiences. I had full budget responsibility and reported directly to the CMO in a complex matrix organization.

Key Achievements:

✔ Orchestrated nationwide and regional multi-channel marketing campaigns.
✔ Revamped and streamlined direct marketing processes for enhanced efficiency.
✔ Successfully implemented 'Member Gets Member' programs, fostering growth.
✔ Led marketing efforts that resulted in 40,000 new clients in my first four months.

Target Group Marketing Manager. Senior Specialist Marketing

As a Health Insurance Specialist in a local branch, I contributed to the overall success of the organization through my expertise in the following areas:

•  New Client Acquisition: Active acquisition of new clients in defined target groups, as well as responsibility for local press relations.
• Client Relations: Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and providing expert guidance on health insurance issues.
• Claims Management: Managed and processed insurance claims, ensuring timely and accurate resolutions for clients.

✔ This experience allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the health insurance industry and the intricacies of customer-centric service delivery.

Health Insurance Specialist

CEO at headfinders.com | Shaping the Future of Headhunting | Results-Driven Leader | Top Executive Coach

As the CEO and founder of headfinders.com, I have been shaping the future of headhunting for over 15 years. I specialize in executive search for large technology, healthcare, and professional services companies—both public and private—helping to identify visionary leaders who drive transformation and growth. Additionally, I collaborate with investors and family offices to advise and guide privately held companies on talent strategies and succession planning.

Beyond executive search, I bring extensive expertise in top executive coaching, business transformation, and new business development. I have led programs for international corporations and mid-sized companies, guiding them through major transitions, including IT transformation processes, the launch of new digital products, and preparing senior leaders for critical negotiations.

I hold a PhD in Health Sciences and Economics, and am also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, PRINCE2 Practitioner, and Professional Scrum Master (PSM I). I am passionate about creating value for my clients, empowering teams, and driving innovation within the executive search industry.

CEO. Chief People Officer. Headhunter. Executive Search

I serve as key executive search consultant for listed and non-listed companies in both transformation situations and for startups. I cooperate with investors and family offices to advise privately held companies in finding the right heads. Industry focus: Technology, healthcare, professional services. Regional focus: Central and Eastern Europe.

Major Responsibilities
Serving as key external recruitment consultant for top positions, organizing the entire selection and hiring process to select right candidates for the job.

Key Deliverables
• Placed new CEOs, CFOs, CCOs, and other top-level people; One of the placed candidates received “CIO of the year” award.
• Convinced a top manager of a 100K people company to take over the global sales role in a start-up.

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